A short time later, WalletHub’s research shows West Virginia at the bottom of the barrel in public education.

These reports make it clear. West Virginia’s leadership is an awful failure.

The Mountain State has huge potential: Agriculture, manufacturing, Medical Marijuana, tourism, coal, technology, timber, just to name a few. Yet we continue to languish.

Recently, a tourist visited with PutnamCountyNews.com. Her reaction was typical. “This state is stuck in the past.”

Governor James C. “Jim” Justice has been vocal in placing blame on the legislature for our failures. However, he is just as guilty. Instead of line-item vetoing tax increases, he allowed the bad budget to pass without his signature. Grandstanding rhetoric doesn’t accomplish anything. We need, immediate action!

During the recent session, Medical Marijuana was one of the few job-growth bills that passed – yet it was stalled until 2019. Instead of helping businesses, legislators passed a gasoline tax increase, a DMV fee increase, and sent a message that West Virginia hurts businesses and families.

No wonder our population keeps dropping.

Justice needs to “man up” and show some leadership by, quickly, calling a special session to do, at least, the following:

Fast-track Medical Marijuana to the year 2017, including local growers.

When you buy from a "Mom & Pop" business, you are not helping a CEO buy third vacation home.
You are helping a little girl get dance lessons, a little boy get his team jersey, a mom or dad put food on the table, a family pay their mortgage, or a student pay for college.